XX Proceedings. [January c^th, igi2. 



control likewise increases. On farm crops in Canada insects 

 levy an annual toll at the present time of at least fifty million 

 dollars, and a very conservative estimate would indicate that the 

 fruit-growers of Canada experience an annual loss of over four 

 million dollars owing to insect pests. These figures may appear 

 rather large to the uninitiated, but it should be remembered that 

 a loss of thirty per cent, in fruit-growing, and a loss of ten to 

 twenty-five per cent, in the raising of farm crops, is generally 

 assigned to injurious insects. Further, it is safe to say that even 

 with our present knowledge of the methods of insect control, a 

 saving of at least thirty per cent, could be effected, and with 

 increased knowledge this percentage will undoubtedly increase. 

 One of the chief objects of the work of the Division of Ento- 

 mology is to assist farmers and fruit-growers in the prevention 

 of these losses. All should realize that it is a poor policy to 

 advocate methods for the purpose of increasing the productivity 

 of the soil if, at the same time, steps are not taken to lessen the 

 means responsible for reducing, in so large a measure, the crops 

 so produced. 



Enquiries and reports concerning insect injuries are received 

 from all parts of Canada. All correspondence to and from the 

 Division is carried " Free," no postage being required, thereby 

 enabling all who desire to have information to obtain it free 

 of cost. 



By co-operation with other branches of the Department of 

 Agriculture the Division is able to increase its usefulness. The 

 Census and Statistics Branch has a body of correspondents of 

 about six thousand, who report to that Branch each month on 

 the conditions of the crops in the different provinces. A question 

 is also asked with reference to insect pests, and the replies are 

 referred to the Division. In this way it is possible immediately 

 to communicate with such correspondents as may need assistance, 

 or if the pest is of a serious nature, to issue a statement to the 

 local press of that district. Such an arrangement is also valuable 

 as a means of receiving information of the incipient stage of an 



